‘Mad Foxes’ celebrate top accomplishment

Posted:

Wed, 04/19/2017 - 10:24am

VP-5 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Joseph Levy (right) and VP-5 Executive Officer Cmdr. Will Toraason discuss the significance of the Mad Foxes' safety achievement April 4 at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Officers' Club pavilion.

Photos by MC2 Nick Bergman

AE2 Christian McLaughlin (left) and AT1 Amber Kuney join their VP-5 shipmates April 4 for a celebratory luncheon at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Officers' Club pavilion.

By Lt. j.g. Steve Mehr

VP-5 Public Affairs Officer

The “Mad Foxes” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 celebrated their 1,500th consecutive day without receiving a DUI citation on April 4.

To mark the occasion, the Mad Fox family held a celebration at the NAS Jacksonville Officers Club pavilion.

VP-5 used some of the prize money they won from the Secretary of Defense Energy Conservation Award to cater the event, that was full of games, competitions, and live music provided by VP-5’s very own Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Patrick Williams. The party also included a keg of beer – a symbolic element of the squadron’s promotion of responsible use of alcohol.

“We focus on modeling the consumption of alcohol in moderation as a healthy aspect of our social environment,” said VP-5 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Joe Levy.

“This is central to our strategy to combat binge drinking. We provide a controlled environment where Sailors can practice enjoying each other’s company and it’s understood that you don’t get blitzed. This streak is not a fluke.”

“We try to focus on the positive. Rather than lecturing our Sailors about what they shouldn’t be doing, we provide examples of what great behavior looks like and keep a fun environment,” said the squadron’s Command Master Chief, Josh Davis. At 1,500 days, the record encompasses generations of Mad Foxes and reflects the squadron’s rich heritage that is defined by Sailors demanding the best of each other.

“Responsible drinking is always an important consideration when any of us go out to a social function,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Troy Apodaca. “Our Skipper treats us as adults and expects nothing less. That philosophy is adhered to by the most senior, all the way down to the newest check in.”

With the proper use of ride-sharing and available assets, everyone in the command knows how to stay safe and use proper judgment in every situation. This comes as no surprise since the Mad Foxes practice the same decision making skills on a daily basis for maintenance and flying.

Lt. Jeffrey Long shared his thoughts on the philosophy: “Before and during each flight I always do a risk assessment of the mission, asking myself; ‘do the risks outweigh the costs?’ When I apply this risk analysis to drinking and driving, the decision against it is a no-brainer.”

Skipper Levy told the squadron that the streak is the result of a squadron with no bad apples, which often come from bad barrels. “We’ve managed to avoid bad apples because we have a good barrel. We’ve taken great care to maintain this good barrel by cultivating good values – kindness to others, being leaders and not followers, and just being awesome.” The same values also lead to mission success and help prevent other destructive behaviors.

The 1,500 days milestone is symbolic of the bond each and every Mad Fox has with one another and reflects a command culture that puts others before themselves. The Mad Foxes also believe that 1,500 days is not the finish line, but just the beginning.

Coincidentally, April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Connecting the Dots: Opportunities for Recovery.” For more information, please visit the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence website https://www.ncadd.org/aam.